Prologue

 From the Palace balcony the King could see everything. He could see the entire city and all of its glory. From his balcony he could smell the sweet aroma of flames. A small fire had broken out in the heart of the city, and, at the moment, all the King could do was watch. He couldn't do anything to save his people. But they understood. It wasn't the King's duty to carry out such trivial tasks as putting out domestic fires. No. He had much more important matters at hand.     

In his hands he held a book. Not a normal book. In fact, one would say this book was as unordinary as any came. It was bound in leather, but not the natural kind. In the leather were traces of magic. Magic that could change the world. His world. In the book read the words to destroy the evil beyond his countries boarders. With this book his people would no longer have to live in fear. There was just one problem. There were no words. The tale wasn't written yet.    

The King started a brisk walk back into the castle depths. Here would be where the Prophecy was born. Right in these halls. After a few lefts and rights the king finally reached his destination. The magic center. This room consisted of a single platform where if one object was placed on it, it would disappear to find its true destiny. Destiny was a word that few used in the kingdom as of late.     

After he placed the book on the platform the King stepped away, afraid that he might be taken with it. He watched as the book shook vigorously under the mystical light that formed around it. In an instant it was gone, leaving behind only a light dusting of white crystals and sparkles. It was truly a wondrous thing to watch magic work. 

"The book has been sent," the King said to himself, "soon, the door will open."

Chapter One: Christmas Eavesdroppings

The hills of Surrey, England lay in the background of an enormous medieval castle. Winter was upon the country, and every tree was bare, and dancing with the falling snowflakes. The setting sun gave the pure white blanket of snow below it a pale orange glow, reflecting off of it, and rebounding it's light to all of it's surroundings.     

The castle was very old. It's ramparts and turrets had swirling ivy growing upon them. The cobble that it was built with was stained with the days of the old. It was originally built as a fortress in the late fifteenth century. It defended the small country that stood in its wake with a proud, and generous attitude. But now, nearly six thousand years later the castle stood drained of it's power. However, it was not uninhabited.     

"It's just a little further!" James called out to the company behind himself. 

James Linniad and his family were the current owners of the castle. The Linniads could be traced as far back as the medieval times, and the castle was passed down through the generations. 

"We've been out here for so long, I'm freezing," a girl called out ahead to James.

Her voice was gentle, and her name was Alice Lancaster. 

"I second that, we've passed many trees that would be good enough, James," another girl said, speaking through a scarf, her name, Juliet Matthews. 

It was winter vacation for James and his friends, and his family was playing host to them for the holidays. At the moment, James and his fraternal twin brother were giving a tour of the castle grounds. They were also looking for a Christmas tree.   

"I'm sorry, Juliet, it's just, my mother wants a really good one for the living room," Nathan Linniad said lightly, not turning around to look at her. 

"Well I don't mind the cold, I find it refreshing," Lucas McKinnon stated to the group.     

They came to a clearing where the gravel path stopped, and turned into a snowy lane. Barren trees bent high over the untouched path made a ceiling with their skinny limbs, allowing snowflakes to drop through the open canopy. Clouds were beginning to roll in above them, no doubt harboring massive amounts of precipitation. 

"We are looking for an evergreen tree," James murmured to anyone that would listen.     

Nathan took the lead, hopping ahead, and looking down the long rows of thick oaks. His black hair was becoming more and more obscured as the snow drift began to pick up. James straightened the wool cap on his head, making sure that it covered his ears. Following that, he tightened the long scarf around his neck, shielding it from the blowing winds. 

"James, I don't think we're going to find one," Alice said blatantly, "how about we go back to the castle and warm up?"

"Once again, I second Alice," Juliet said, although muffled through her shawl. 

James didn't say anything. He did want to go back home and warm up with some hot chocolate, but he promised his parents that on their venture they would return with a Christmas tree. He stopped in his tracks and looked around at his company. Juliet and Alice stood huddled together like arctic penguins, chattering their teeth and shivering their shoulders. Lucas however, was the complete contrary, only wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and a winter hat, and even with that he didn't complain. 

"Alright, we'll go back," James finally caved in, but only after noticing Juliet was getting the sniffles. 

"Finally," Alice breathed.     

The trek back to the castle was quick, as they weren't dragging a tree, and James didn't have to stop every few feet to introduce and explain things about the grounds. In all the years that he had known his friends they had never been to his castle. His family only used it for holidays, and this was the first time James was allowed to invite them for a stay.   

Lucas McKinnon was James's oldest friend, both of them having met when they were five years old. He had dirty blonde hair that fell down to his shoulders, and his eyes stood out prominently with a striking blue color. In James's group Lucas was the one with the best sense of humor, and that was what drew the two friends together in the first place. He usually wore really tight fitted jeans, and logo t-shirts. But what stood out the most was his height, where he stood six feet and three inches tall.    

James first met Alice Lancaster when he was in the fifth grade. She was highly intelligent for her age even at that time, and with the years she soon became the smartest girl in the entire school. And eventually, the smartest fifteen year-old James knew. Her hair was blonde like Lucas's, except hers fell far below her waist. She usually tied it back with a pink bow that greatly accented her emerald green eyes.     

Juliet Matthews was in James's eye the most beautiful girl in the world. She moved to Surrey from London in the fifth grade, and that was when the two first became acquainted. Even back then he had a certain infatuation for her. Her long chestnut brown hair bounced behind her with exuberance whenever she walked, and her eyes were the same exact color, dancing when light shone into them. Her smile was gentle and sweet, but when the time required it she could be dangerously fierce.    

Nathan Linniad was not only James's twin brother, but he was also his longest friend, excluding Lucas. Being fraternal twins, they had easily visible distinctions. Nathan had jet black hair much like his father, while James looked more like his mother, having dark auburn colored hair. Nathan's eyes were icy blue, giving a brilliant contrast to his hair. But the one thing people noticed the most was the necklace dangling around his neck. It was a small red jewel that was a family heirloom, and it was passed down through the lines of lineage. It had somehow found its way into the hands of Nathan, much to James's dismay. He was shocked when he found out that Nathan had acquired the pendant, because he was older than him by a small amount of two minutes.    

The door to the back of the castle foyer opened with a long creaking noise. James passed under the threshold first into the warm sanctity of the Grand Lobby. He was immediately engaged by the smells of baking cookies and mince pie. James's mother had meticulously decorated the foyer for the holidays, draping garlands in the rafters, hanging reefs on every door, and even playing Christmas songs and jingles at a low but resonating octave.    

A large sparkling chandelier was hanging from the ceiling and it seemed to be where all the garlands were connecting, shining in the light of the bulbs. His parents were definitely festive people, James's father could be seen wearing ugly sweaters harboring poorly sewn reindeers and elves upon them, at the makings of Mrs. Linniad, along with his signature smoking pipe that exuded the smell of vanilla.     

The other four kids walked through the door and into the inviting castle, shaking snowflakes out of their hair and off their shoulders, and allowing their scarves to release the tight grips around their necks. James's cheeks felt numb as he walked deeper into the foyer, as the cold air outside did not agree with the warm air inside. He took off his gloves and started working his fingers, flexing them to get his blood to start pumping again. He noticed the others doing the same actions, Nathan bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet, and blowing into his hands that were cupped around his mouth.  

"It feels so good to be somewhere warm again," Alice sighed, as she disrobed her scarf and mittens. 

Juliet took off her winter cap and scraped snow off the top of it, then shook the rest out of her hair. Lucas simply crossed his arms and followed James further into the room, taking in all of his surroundings.  

"This is a really beautiful place, mate," he said as he walked to James's right. 

"Thanks," James answered.    

A loud click clacking noise entered the festive room, bouncing off whatever parts of the wall that wasn't decorated. It was Mrs. Linniad, and she came bearing a plate full of sparkling sugar cookies. She was sporting a very fine red dress, and her hair bore perfect curls. Her lips were the color of her dress, only deeper. She fit the pure definition of beautiful to the last dot, leaving behind only the brilliant smell of a strange flower that James could never put a name to. 

"How'd you lot like the tour?" she asked brightly. 

She held out the tray of cookies, and everyone graciously took one, Lucas being the first. 

"It was brilliant, Mrs. Linniad! I had no idea this place had such a history!" Alice practically blurted. 

Juliet nodded next to her as she took a small bite out of her baked good. 

"That it does, but please, call me Mary," Mrs. Linniad said beckoning the group forward and down a long hallway, "did James tell you about the great Viking Raid of fifteen twelve?"

Alice almost choked on her cookie, "No he didn't," she gave James a look of utter distaste, which made him and Lucas snigger when she wasn't looking, "you must tell me about it!"

"Perhaps another time, now you must warm up with some of my famous hot cocoa," Mary said as she turned and guided the kids through the swinging kitchen door.    

The kitchens were a solid white color. Although, probably at the request of Mrs. Linniad, they too were decorated for Christmas. Men and women, at the moment, were working on making dinner. The gourmet chefs creating delicate soufflés and soups, and the bakers making gorgeous breads and pastries. Mary moved towards the pantry, walked inside and returned with a box labeled something in another language. She asked a chef next to her for dishes and he soon handed her intricately designed white tea cups. She set the stove and began boiling water. 

"We get our chocolate from the Duke of Switzerland, he's a close friend, so it's likely that this will be the best hot cocoa you ever drink," she said with a light laugh. 

James and Nathan both rolled their eyes at the same time. She was showing off to her company, and she clearly was not above name dropping. 

"How about we wait in the dining room?" Nathan suggested, to rid himself of further embarrassment.    

The kids all gave a murmur of consent as they moved as one through another pair of swinging doors into the dining room. This room was significantly brighter than the kitchen, a diamond encrusted chandelier hung high from the chapel-like ceiling, sending its light to collide with that of the window, which was now darkening. 

"Sorry about my mum," James said, his brow furrowing. 

"What about her?" Lucas asked as he took a seat at the dinner table. 

"Are you joking? Did you hear her? 'We get our chocolate from the Duke of Switzerland'," Nathan said in a mock voice of his mother. 

"That's not nice," Alice said taking a seat next to Lucas and waving her finger. 

James took one look at his brother and laughed at his bewildered face, then he turned on his heel and sat opposite to Alice. Juliet followed him and took a seat next to his left, leaving Nathan standing alone.    

A door behind Lucas oscillated open, groaning as it did. James's father, Dave, stood under it's threshold, the pipe in his mouth ablaze with a cinnamon based hash. His eyes seemed to sparkle as he entered the room, and his graying jet black hair glistened under the holiday lights. 

"There you lot are," he said, a twinge of relief in his voice, "I was beginning to get worried."

"It was getting too cold out, so we came back in," James said.  

A large puff of smoke emerged from Dave's pipe, and once it cleared James could see him nodding his head absentmindedly. 

"So I take it you never found a tree?" he said after a minute of silence. 

James shook his head no, accompanied by his friends. 

"Well, it's no problem, we can always go into town to get another," Dave said. 

"Don't you think we have enough? I mean the castle is full of them," Nathan said tentatively. 

"Yes, well, I suppose you're right," Dave agreed simply, "I daresay we haven't any room for more. I think the library has five or so."

"Eight," James corrected. 

Mr. Linniad didn't answer, instead he merely uttered the lyrics to the tune gently playing from the speakers in the corner of the room.    

Mrs. Linniad waltzed into the room balancing a plate adorned with the cups she received from one of the workers. They were filled to the brim with a muddy looking brew, each steaming and sending off a wondrous smells. She served the hot chocolate to each person in the room, collecting gracious smiles as she handed them out.    

After successfully burning the back of his throat, Lucas let out a very high pitched squeal loud enough to make Juliet jump in her seat. 

"Sorry," he uttered to Juliet as tears formed in his eyes and James began to laugh aloud. 

"So how does everyone like the place so far?" Dave asked, hiding his mouth behind his mug. 

"It's wonderful!" Alice exclaimed, her excitement evident. 

Dave's cup lowered to reveal a proud grin, his eyes sparkling again.  

"I especially love your library," Juliet said calmly and placing her words carefully. 

Mary's head nodded firmly, smiling broadly. She turned to face her husband who returned her grin and accompanied it with a knowing look. 

"Our library is our favorite part of the castle too," Mary said. 

"Why is that?" Lucas asked, sparing no rudeness. 

"Well," Dave began, "it's beautiful, for one," he paused and looked at all of the kids, each one in the eye, "And secondly," his break was longer this time, so long that it gave Lucas an opening to shift in his seat, "it's the only room that we have not done anything to. We haven't changed any of the books, or the paintings. We just refurnish every now and then."

Alice almost choked on her hot chocolate. 

"You mean, that your library still holds books from the medieval ages?" she said through a napkin. 

"Well yes," Mary answered, "but we do add more books to it every so often. Just to keep it current."

"I didn't even know that," Nathan said, amazed. "I never noticed anything when we were on the tour," Lucas said, his eyes unnaturally bright. 

"Well you weren't exactly looking for anything, were you now?" Dave said smiling happily. 

"Do you mind if we see it again? I would really like to see all the books," said Alice. 

"No not at all, although, there will be plenty of time for that. For now, I believe dinner is almost ready," Mary said, giving a wink on her last few words.    

Dinner went by with many laughs, burps and stories. Mr. Linniad took his time on a particularly long tale of a young knight who lived in the very castle they now sat in. James and Nathan both sat bored, with their hands holding up their heads, and forks full of spaghetti in their mouths. They had both heard this story many times by now. Mrs. Linniad was just adding to the lore when a black telephone in the corner of the room began ringing. No one said anything initially, but the room got eerily quiet. 

"Who could be calling this late at night?" Juliet asked, breaking the silence. 

Dave looked at the pocket watch that he had withdrawn from the inside of his jacket. 

"Seven-thirty," he proclaimed after stowing it away, "I think I'll answer it."

He left his seat and did not return for several minutes, but finally after many grunts into the phone, and silent nods of approval he put it back in its holder. Dave rejoined the table, put his hand on his chin and began scratching his scruff. 

"So, who was it?" Mary asked quietly. 

"That was work."

James looked over to his mother, who at that moment looked as though she were releasing a sigh of relief, but when she caught James's eye she drastically changed her expression and spoke again, this time louder. 

"What did they want?"

It took Dave a second to reply, his face told James that he was carefully measuring his next words, it must be something important. During this juncture James, again, noticed his mother's aloofness. Despite her position in the conversation she displayed an air of boredom, having her hand on her chin, and staring out the window behind Alice. 

"They want me to come into work tonight, and tomorrow. . ." Dave said after some time, and watching his wife from the corner of his eye. 

Mrs. Linniad did not respond, and soon after Mr. Linniad's news she got up from her seat looking rather haughty. 

"Dad you can't!" Nathan exclaimed from the dinner table, "tomorrow is Christmas!"

"I know . . . I know . . ." His father said sincerely. 

"Can I see you in the kitchen please?" Mary said to her husband, who looked as though he already knew what it was about. 

Saying nothing at all, Mr. Linniad stood up and motioned towards the door to the kitchen that was already swinging due to Mrs. Linniad's hasty departure.    

Lucas's face epitomized the rest of the tables current emotion; pure confusion. James wondered what his mother wanted to talk about, and why his father needed to work on Christmas. But most of all, why there were workers dashing out of the kitchen. 

"Excuse me!" James said to one particular man who looked completely flustered, "what's going on?" he asked. 

The man took off his chef hat and merely stood solemnly before answering.  

"Your mother has gone mad, she's saying things I've never heard her say before," he said to James. 

Now James was really confused, what was that supposed to mean, other than that his mother was angry. From the look of Nathan's face, he seemed to be pondering the same thing. The rest of his company stood awkwardly, a couple paces from their chairs, all assuming dinner was over. The kitchen worker took his leave just as abruptly as he tried to before.    

"Perhaps we should go upstairs," Juliet said intelligently, but careful not to overstep her boundaries. 

"I think your right," Lucas answered first, already making his way to the door that led to the hallway. 

"You guys go on ahead," James said to his friends, "I'm gonna stay behind and clean up," he indicated the dishes on the table. 

"Oh! Let us help!" Alice piped up, from behind Lucas. 

James waved a hand and began picking up plates and silverware, "don't worry about it, I'll be up in a minute," he insisted.    

A shrug from Lucas, and a wary look from Alice and they were all gone, leaving James to pick up the dirty dishes, or as he wanted it; to eavesdrop on his parents. So ignoring the plates and glasses completely James stuck his right ear to the door to the kitchen. He could barely hear his mother's voice, she sounded muffled but James could definitely tell she was furious about something. He pressed his ear harder to the door, making the voices come through closer.    

"Mary, I realize why your angry, but you have to understand, it's my job," his father said,

"I know it's Christmas tomorrow, but the kids will accept that I can't be there."

"That's just it, you don't understand," his mother sounded more mad than he had ever heard her before, "it's not about your job, or Christmas! It's about the kids!"

His dad laughed, James's jaw dropped, how his father could ever laugh in the face of such anger, James would never know. 

"Mary, I see what your getting at, it's about the Prophecy isn't it."

Prophecy? James's jaw dropped even more. 

"Now you get it," Mary sounded sarcastically relieved. 

"Look, their not supposed to find it until the first storm of the Winter Solstice," Dave said. 

"But what if that happens when you aren't here?" His mother's voice drastically changed to unnerved. 

"Then we deal with it later, for now, lets just wait for them to find it. I daresay that Alice girl is quite smart, she'll find it first I tell you."   

James took his ear away from the door, he was sick of listening. He didn't know what to do, he couldn't find any possible answer for what his parents were talking about. Prophecy? first storm of the Winter Solstice? and they talked about him and his friends, and something they had to find, but he couldn't imagine what they meant by that. He knew the others would love to hear about this.

Chapter Two: Two Darks to One Night

"What?!" Alice's voice sounded throughout the entire room. 

James and his friends were sitting in his bedroom. He had just told them about what he heard down stairs. It seemed as though the group did not approve, or better put, understand. Lucas sat cross-legged on the floor, as if waiting for more to the story. Nathan sat next to Juliet on the windowsill, both of them deep in thought. Alice was sitting on James's bed next to him, her mouth gaping, and still expecting an answer to her open-ended question. 

"Look," James began, seeing Alice's face, "at this point, I don't know anymore than you lot, so don't ask me."

"Well, it's not as if we can ask your parents," Lucas said. 

James could see Juliet shaking her head from the corner of his eye. Turning to face her, he said:

"What do you think?"

"It's completely ridiculous, you probably didn't hear them right," Nathan said, thinking James' question was intended for him. 

James scowled, now his brother was saying he was ridiculous, he knew what he heard. 

"I think it makes perfect sense," Juliet piped up, "I mean, look outside, it's snowing pretty hard out there."

"Really?" Alice said getting up to inspect the business, "the weatherman didn't say anything about a storm tonight."

"Coincidence!" Nathan exclaimed. 

"What your problem, mate?" Lucas yelled, "if James said he heard something, then he heard something!"

"So you're telling me you honestly believe all of this?!" Nathan was now yelling, for some reason he was very angry. 

"Well, I do," Juliet said calmly, "I believe James, I don't think he'd lie about something like this."

"It's not about whether he's lying," Alice said suddenly, "it's about whether or not we believe what his parents were talking about. I mean this whole Prophecy thing does sound a bit far fetched."

Juliet looked at James with a concerned face. Her eyes looked saddened. He knew she was trying to help, and somehow his thank you to her was relayed telepathically and she got the message. 

"You're right," he said to her, "the whole idea is farfetched. But why would my parents just make something like that up when they were alone together. That doesn't make sense."

The room went silent. The matter wasn't close to being solved, but for the moment James felt as though he closed it. Until Nathan spoke again. 

"Look, James, I believe what you said, about mum and dad," he acceded, "I just don't know about everything else. What if it is true? Where do we even begin?"

"He's right, we don't even know where to start with whole thing," Alice said gently as she looked directly at James. 

Lucas was taking his time coming to a conclusion of his own. He looked like he was racking his brain for answers. 

"I think we have to just tackle one thing at a time," he finally said after a minute of concentration. 

"So what's the first thing we do?" Juliet asked. 

"I don't know. . ." Lucas said perplexedly. 

"See! We can't come up with a solution because we all have a hard time believing this!" Nathan exclaimed. 

"That's not it at all!" Lucas retorted, "stop being a prat and just try to be imaginative for five minutes!" 

Nathan quickly quieted down, although he didn't take his eyes away from Lucas for a full minute. He sat with an astonished face, rubbing the pendant around his neck.    

Juliet was right, the weather outside had picked up drastically from what it was just hours ago. The light flurry had turned into chaos compared to an hour ago. James's mind was racing, he was trying to think of what the prophecy was, but his thoughts kept turning to what they were supposed to find. Chests full of treasures was all he could imagine however. 

"What are we supposed to find?" James said accidentally out loud.

Every head in the room perked up to his voice. 

"I was wondering the same thing," Alice said, "it has to be in the castle." 

James's eyes widened. 

"What makes you think that?" Lucas said. 

He took a more comfortable position, laying on the floor and leaning on his elbow. James tried to think of an answer himself. He knew Alice was right, it had to be in the castle. If it really did exist, whatever it was, it was here. 

"So, hold on, can we just go over again what mum and dad said?" Nathan asked. 

James looked at his brother, he gave the impression that he didn't care about the situation at all, like it wasn't important. 

"Why are you so against this?" James asked him. 

"I just think your all acting stupid," apparently Nathan had no problem sharing his opinion Lucas eyed him warily, "think about it, what are the chances that we are all together in this castle during a snow storm that's said to be the 'first storm of the Winter Solstice'," he made quotations with his fingers as he said this, "What are the chances that there's  a Prophecy about us, just the thought is absurd."

James couldn't help but agree with him, the chances were slim. Things like this don't happen everyday. 

"But that's why it's so special," Juliet said, "it's just so crazy and random, that it must be true."

"That's no reason to believe in anything," Nathan said quietly. 

"Yes it is," Alice retorted, "look at history, has it taught you nothing," nathan rolled his eyes, "people in the Middle Ages took to believing in religions just at the thought and hopes that they might actually be true, however ludicrous the ideas, granted the clergy basically talked them into it. But still, they believed because there was no reason not to."   

Alice had a point too, James thought. Perhaps this was all true, perhaps there was something to find in the castle. He just had to believe it, no matter how ludicrous the idea. 

"Okay. . ." Lucas began slowly, "say this is all true. Say everything your parents said was true. Say we can all have imaginations for a minute," he was now looking at Nathan who stared cautiously back, "what are we going to do about it? Are we going to just sit here and debate whether its real or not, or are we going to act?"   

Suddenly everything went black. In an instant the entire room was enveloped by darkness. The chamber erupted into chaos immediately. James heard a loud thud on the floor next to him. He nearly fell off of the bed himself. Juliet shrieked so loud that he thought the glass window behind her would burst. Lucas let out a groan of pain, Alice doing the same. 

"Everyone relax!" James bellowed into the dark, "I'm going to look for a candle!"

He slowly stood up, careful not to step on anyone. He remembered that he left a candle on his nightstand from the night before when he was doing some midnight reading. As he took his first steps he felt a large mass with his foot, realizing this was Alice after she said a plain, "excuse me."   

He reached the nightstand after his eyes adjusted to the darkness. The window let in some light so it made scanning the room easier. However, Nathan and Juliet still sitting on the the sill was not helping. The book of matches was lying next to the candle, and once he lit one the bedroom was illuminated with a glowing light. He lit the candle and the light became stronger, sending distorted shadows across the room and everyone's faces. Juliet let out a gasp like she hadn't been breathing since the lights went out. Alice had fallen off the bed and had landed on Lucas which was where the yelp of pain originated. 

"What happened?!" Nathan cried from the corner of the room, he was now standing. 

"The lights went out," Lucas said. 

"Well, thank you for being so blatantly obvious, Lucas," Nathan said, "but I was really asking why the lights went out."

Lucas chuckled a little, making Nathan frown. 

"It's the storm," Alice answered Nathan, "it must be getting bad out there."   

The door opened making everyone in the room crane their necks to see who it was. A faint hue of orange outlined the door and it flowed a little into the bedroom. James's father's face peeked in from the other side, smiling as he did. He had a hand clasped to a candle much like the one perched on James's nightstand. 

"We thought you lot would like more light," he said casually as he stepped into the room, followed by his wife. 

"Thank you so much!" Juliet released as she jumped up from the sill and ran to grab a candle. 

Juliet was deeply afraid of the dark, to the extent of needing a nightlight in her bedroom at the age of fifteen. He thought it was cute, but to a point. He also thought it was something she had to get over. She ran back to the window and sat down upon its sill once more. 

"Your very welcome," Dave said, running a hand through his salt and pepper hair. 

Mary began handing out candles to the rest of the company, all the while being greeted with thank-yous, and a grunt of approval from Nathan, who earned a stern look from his father and complied with a thank you. James and Lucas both looked at each other, smirking. 

"Do you know why the power went out?" Alice asked, although she had already answered that question. 

"Some snow built up on one of the power lines and it snapped," Dave said seriously, "we won't have power for awhile, but I kind of like it like this, don't you?" he added to Mary. 

She nodded fervently, her dark red hair bouncing and sending a strange shadow onto the wall. There was something strange about her. She seemed distressed, but she was hiding it very well. 

"I knew it," Alice said quietly, but loud enough to break James's concentration on his mother.  

"If there is anything else you need just let us know," Mrs. Linniad said as she began to depart the room. 

She left behind that same strange flowery smell as before, this time stronger as if she had sprayed a new batch on herself. Dave left a few moments after her, but not before saying good night, and wishing sweet dreams upon everyone. There was an odd juncture in which no one spoke, James took this time to think.     His mother and father were definitely up to something. They knew something that he and his friends did not, and he had a strange sensation that they were going to find out what it was sooner than later. 

"What are we going to do about this," James announced while his mind was still fresh with his recent thoughts. 

No one answered him. His company merely stared at him, expecting him to speak more, or perhaps thinking of answers themselves. 

"I say we find whatever this thing is," he continued, "this is something we have to do, because I know what I heard, I know it's true. The Prophecy exists, and we have to find it, or at least whatever it's talking about."

Again no one answered him, he didn't expect them to. He was just talking to fill the silence, but he meant every word. He did believe in the Prophecy. 

"You are completely right," Juliet said, coming to James's aid, "this is worth looking for. And even if we don't find anything, then at least we tried."

"But we have to believe," Lucas spoke with so much enthusiasm, "Juliet said it best, this is worth it."

James couldn't help but smile. His friends were backing him up more than he could have hoped. He never really noticed how fond of them he was until now. 

"So it's settled," Alice's voice came from a darker side of the room, "we search for it."

"Yes," James said. 

"Then we do it tonight," she said darkly. 

"But that's so soon," Juliet said tentatively. 

"What did you expect, we have to do it sooner than later," Lucas replied passionately. 

James nodded his head idly, watching Alice walk toward the door. 

"We do it tonight, after a bit of rest. I say three hours is enough for your parents to go to sleep," when everyone nodded their head in agreement she added, "then I'll wake you all up in three hours time."

She left the room without another word, leaving everyone else with their thoughts. James's thoughts went to his brother. 

"Are you going to be with us, Nathan?" he asked. 

It took a few seconds for him to answer, but when he did he answered sassily with, "of course I am."

He quickly departed after he spoke and left the door open enough for Lucas to follow him out without touching it.    

Juliet was the last one in his room. She was still holding the candle, and she was staring intensely at James. She smiled when he returned her gaze. When she stood up James did too, not knowing why. Her smile became broader and she began to walk to the door. He followed her. Still not knowing why. 

"Well . . ." She said softly, "goodnight then . . ."

"Goodnight, Juliet," he didn't even recognize his own voice. 

"Goodnight," she said again, then turned and left.    

She left him with a smile on his face. A stupid one at that, but all the same alone. Alone to his thoughts, and now they were reeling. Anticipations of the upcoming nights events were only heightened when he clambered into his bed. The coziness was something he needed at the moment. To be warm in the middle of the snow storm outside, and a storm inside of his own head. It was nice to finally lay down under the current circumstances, taking a break from it all was just what he needed. It all just seemed so surreal, he couldn't believe that it was actually happening to him, that there was a Prophecy and he was involved with it.    

The last candle in his room was flickering, emitting a low glimmer onto his wall and nightstand. It was dancing on the cusp of life and death, fluttering to keep alive. He shifted in his bed, and he found this even more comfortable than when he first lied down.    

Now his eyes were beginning to droop, falling heavily together. He was falling asleep and fast. Before he knew it he was dreaming.    

He was sitting on a cobbled street. It was empty, except for him. He stood up and tried to take in his surroundings. The sun was setting, delivering a glare to the street below, making James shield his eyes. He seemed to be on some sort of Main Street, he could see different archaic shoppes, and stores. Although, he couldn't read any of the signs to see what they sold.    

He was now walking down the street. It all looked so old, but new at the same time, like he was visiting some version of the past that was some how modernized. Everything had a certain friendly esque to it. The more he walked however, the more everything began to blur away. There were no street signs, no cars, no people, and as he reached the end of the avenue there was nothing. Just an empty backdrop with the sun still setting.    

The sun was so hot. It seemed like every one of its rays was pointed at him. Feeling like he was in an oven, he wished he were gone, somewhere else.    

Then it all changed. The sunny backdrop faded to darkness. The ground underneath him changed into a floor of white marble, and within an instant he was gazing over a beautiful city in the dead of night.    

He stood still, careful not to change anything on accident. He knew that with the slightest touch everything could turn to white again. He liked this view, he didn't want to leave it. Every now and then a little light would twinkle within the city, catching his eye.    

"You stand in my palace," a voice came from somewhere behind him. 

The voice didn't startle him, in fact it soothed him, like something he had heard a long time ago. It was a man's voice. Judging from the deepness he was old in age. A light breeze ran through James's hair, it must have been summer he assessed from the sweet smell that lingered under his nose. 

"I take it you like the view," the man said. 

James nodded, not taking his eyes off the province. 

"It really is a beautiful city," the man continued, "I only wish you could have seen it in all of its glory."

"I bet it was brilliant," James said lightly, turning around to face his company.    

The man stood tall and powerful. He had snow white hair, and a long beard to match. His eyes bore a great resemblance to James's own being a bright green color. He had a long scarlet red cloak that was shrouded in the shadow of the palace behind him. 

"Where am I?" James asked. 

"Your in your future," the man answered mysteriously, "now wake up, I believe Alice wants your attention."   

James awoke in a flash, sucking in air. He sat up immediately and felt his body to see if he was actually real. His shirt was covered in sweat, and he felt beads of it fall from his forehead. 

"James!" Alice cried, "are you okay?"

He looked at her, half expecting to see the mysterious man before him instead. She looked scared, and it seemed she had been sweating too. 

"What happened?" James asked dumbly. 

"Nothing happened and that was the problem," Juliet said from the door. 

"What do you mean?"

"You weren't breathing, James," Alice said motherly, "you had us scared to death."

"Oh," was all James could muster himself to say. 

"I don't think we should do it tonight," Juliet said to Alice, "not with all that's happened."

"What do you mean?" James said again. 

Alice and Juliet both looked at each other, concern in their eyes. James looked at them both, anticipating an answer. "It's Nathan," Alice muttered after a minute of silence. 

It took a moment for that to register with him. That could have meant a lot of things. He could have been hurt, or worse . . . he didn't want to think about it.    

James got up from his bed and walked over to the door. Juliet stood in his way, but after seeing the look he gave her she moved to the side quietly. 

"James you really shouldn't-" Alice tried to say, but she was cut off as James walked out of the door and into the hallway. His brother's room was right next to his, and it wasn't long before he was gliding into it, accompanied by a panicked Alice and a fear stricken Juliet.    

Lucas was hovering over Nathan's bed and body, a hand through his hair. Nathan's chest was heaving slowly up and down, at least he was alive, James thought. With a sigh of relief he quickly strode further into the room and crouched next to the bed to get a better look at his brother.    

He was sleeping. His hair was ruffled, and there was a faint trace of freshly made tears that ran down his cheeks. James grabbed a hold of Nathan's hand and tried to feel for a pulse. He did have one, but it was slow, and shaky. 

"What happened to him?" he asked Lucas. 

Lucas only shifted his head and reached for the covers that were tucking Nathan into bed. He pulled them back to reveal James shirtless twin brother, but with a strange deformity on his chest. It almost looked like a tattoo. 

"What is it?" James asked, trying to hold back his fear. Again, Lucas not saying a word, reached, this time for the bedside nightstand and picked up the family heirloom that usually wrapped his brother's neck everyday. The small red ruby shone in the candle light that bathed Nathan's room. James took it from Lucas to examine it himself. 

"It looks exactly like the mark on his chest," James said, as he flipped the jewel over and over. 

"Yeah," Alice said from somewhere behind James, "it seems as though it burned him in his sleep."

James couldn't believe it, but the evidence gave him the conclusion that what she said was true. It didn't feel hot in his hand, and he couldn't think of any reason for why this would happen. He pocketed it, thinking it would all make sense later. 

"We heard him screaming," Juliet mumbled, "it woke us all up, except you."

"And he didn't even wake up either," Lucas said, "once we took the necklace off of him, he just shut up, he hasn't done anything since."

He thought of his dream again. He remembered it so clearly and vividly, like it was happening at this exact moment. That man had known Alice was trying to wake him up. How did he know what was going on outside James's head? Was he somehow linked to all of this?

"We tried to find your parents," Alice continued, interrupting James's train of thought. 

"You mean they're not here?" James said, astounded that he just heard that. 

She slowly nodded her head, confirming her information and confusing James further. Why weren't his parents home? Where could they possibly need to be in the dead of night? 

"Should we call them?" Lucas asked hesitantly. 

"No," James said at once, he was getting a little angry, not at his friends, but at the situation, "I have a feeling that they knew something like this would happen."

Juliet's head literally cocked to the side out of bewilderment. 

"Well, then don't you think they would be here to help or do something?" Alice asked tentatively. 

James didn't answer her, because he didn't have an answer for himself. It was just a feeling that he had. He knew this all had something to do with the Prophecy, his dream included. 

"What do we do, mate?" Lucas said, a squeak of fear in his voice. 

James paced over to the back of the room in order to see the group in full. He took a unlit candle by the handle and lit it with another. 

"We find whatever we're supposed to find. We fulfill the prophecy."

Chapter Three: Of Paintings and Pendants

The castle creaked and moaned under the feet of the teenage detectives. They walked through the darkened corridors by only candle light, the power had still not come on. The storm hadn't let up either. Every so often violent winds would try and burst through the windows, causing Juliet to jump every time.     

They were traveling through the West Wing, James leading the pack. This Wing consisted of a sun room, a play room where James and Nathan used to spend all of their time, and lastly an enormous living room. Alice was taking notes of their discoveries, and just about anything and everything that had happened that night. 

"Let's check here first," James said as he extended an arm to open the door to the sunroom. 

This room was well lit, or at least the best it could have been for no actual light. The curtains on the windows were moved back so the moonlight could squeeze through the frames. A sofa was placed adjacent to the door and it was pushed back against the wall. Bookcases lined the sides of the room, and a large candelabra sat on a circular table in front of the couch. 

"Where do we start?" Lucas asked, coming to the shoulder of James.  

"Juliet, will you light the candles please?" James asked. 

She happily obliged, kneeling on the hand embroidered rug underneath the table. She began setting the candles as Alice walked over to the bookcase, notebook in hand. 

"This place looks promising," she said as she picked a book off of the shelf and began perusing. 

"Hmm. . ." James answered her, lost in thought.     

Things were starting to get serious. James needed to fulfill the Prophecy, he felt it was all somehow connected to what happened to his brother and his dream. He had to find the answers, it was the only way to make sense of everything. 

"What do you think it is?" Juliet asked pensively once she finished lighting the candelabra, "the Prophecy, I mean."

"I'm imagining something small," Lucas began, "like a trinket, or like something right out of a movie."

"I'm imagining something quite the contrary," Alice said gently, "like a door, or secret passage."

James's mind went back to the rubies and chests of gold, he felt it best not to announce his imaginations. He stalked his way over to one of the sunroom windows, and yanked back a curtain to see the storm. The wind was wreaking havoc outside the walls of the castle. Flurries of snow were now blanketing the windows, encasing them with their icy crystals. His breath was forming a fog on the window, and he swiped a finger across it before turning around to his friends. 

"I don't think it's here," he stated. 

"I was coming to that conclusion myself," Alice said blankly as she jotted down a few more notes before looking up at James. 

"How do you know, we haven't even searched," Juliet asked. 

"I just have a feeling," James explained. 

"A feeling . . ." Lucas repeated to himself. 

There was moment of silence between the group. Alice led everyone out of the room and into the hallway, where she stopped and waited for James to resume his role as leader, since he was the one who knew the castle the best. 

"Where to next?" Lucas asked, breaking up the moment. 

It took James a minute to realize that he was being talked to. 

"I think I have an idea," he murmured, "it's this way."    

James led them back into the castle hallway. He looked right and saw the other doors down the corridor, but those weren't his destination, he had another in mind. His father's study had to be where they kept it, whatever it was, James thought. It made the most sense. His father had what they were looking for, and it would have naturally been the last place they would have searched, if James hadn't thought of it.     

"This place is really creepy," Juliet squeaked from the back of the quo. 

"It just looks creepy because the power is still out," Alice said matter-of-factly.     

They were now standing in the office. It was brightly lit. Fresh candles were burning in all the corners of the room. James strode further into the room, careful not to make any noise, he didn't know why.      Somebody had definitely been here, and not too long ago. Papers cluttered the floor, drawers were shaken ajar, and a lamp was strewn across his father's desk. James looked back at his group. Juliet had her arms crossed, as if she was warming herself up. Lucas had his left hand on the golden brass doorknob, while Alice still had her notebook in hand and was jotting down more notes. 

"What is it?" Lucas asked. 

"Someone has been here, my guess is probably a couple hours ago, while we were sleeping," James answered as he picked the lamp off the desk. 

"Yes you're right," Alice agreed, "judging by the candles I'd say two hours ago is a good guess."

Juliet made a move to stand next to James. She was shivering. 

"What's wrong," he asked her. 

"I'm kind of scared," she replied softly, "this is all just getting too real. I'm afraid for Nathan, and what happened to this room? It looks like a hurricane came through here."

"I know, I'm scared for Nathan too. Something happened tonight. And there's something I need to tell you-" Alice shifted next to him, bumping him in the ribs and cutting off his train of thought.

"Hang on," she said as she moved James out of the way. She was gawking at the desk below her. A disheveled looking piece of paper lay flat on the table top, it looked more organized than anything else in the room, perhaps this was what the person was looking for. As James inspected the piece further he saw that it was actually a blueprint. A blueprint of the castle. He moved closer, now hovering over Alice's shoulder. 

"This looks like your library!" Alice exclaimed, as she picked it up to bring it closer to a candle. 

"What does?" Lucas inquired. 

He glided over to the rest of the group, nearly tripping over an overturned chair. Alice was right. It was a schematic of James's family media center. It showed the bookcases, tables, chairs, and even the four fireplaces in all the corners of the room. 

"Why would this be here?" James asked, more to himself. 

Everyone looked to him, wanting him to elaborate more, but when he didn't the room fell silent.    

James just had to think. A schematic of the library placed in plain sight. Was he somehow supposed to find it? Somebody obviously wanted him to go looking there. But for what? That part was still a mystery.     

He was heading out of the door when he heard Alice say;

"And where do you think you're going?"

"To the library, obviously," he said, "and bring that with you," he was pointing at the design.     

The media center of the castle was the pride and joy of the Linniad family. It was the largest part of the castle, and the most gorgeous for that matter. It was full of books of every genre from A to Z, and maps from every cultures. As well as a list of every famous person that had ever stepped foot in it.     

The group found themselves standing in front of the overlarge oaken doors to the room. Brass lion heads with rings jutting out of their mouths were used to open the entry. Once James and Lucas dragged them ajar they all stepped inside careful not cause any noise, in case anything was waiting for them. James was once again at the head of the group, walking slowly and treading lightly.     

Everything in the library looked dangerously expensive. The rug was made of pure Egyptian carpet, being the color of mahogany red. The books were over five hundred years old, and would probably turn to dust if one touched them. The fire places had beautifully crafted mantles where, at the moment, stockings hung from them. And, oddly enough, all the fireplaces were lit and burning brightly, as if someone had just been here. Chills ran up James's spine just thinking about that.     

Model airplanes hung from the ceiling, as well as about five different looking chandeliers. Glass display cases stood proud of what they held at the end of every bookcase. Sofas and recliners were placed everywhere there was room. And a nice set of them were stationed at every hearth, practically waiting to be sat in.     

"This place is so beautiful," Alice breathed. 

"It's absolutely perfect," Juliet gasped.  

James walked over to one of the bookcases. He picked up a book and began flicking through its pages. 

"What are you doing?" Lucas asked, coming to his side. 

"I'm looking for something, anything really," he answered sluggishly. 

His tiredness was beginning to set in again. 

"Where do we start?" Juliet asked from somewhere behind the two boys. 

James set the book down on a nearby table. He mulled his way to the couch that was nearest to the hearth. He was immediately occupied by a warm cozy feeling. The fire was low and gave an inviting atmosphere. The snow was attacking the windows now, pounding on them and leaving their frosty touches as they sat on either side of the fireplace.    

It was just James and Juliet now. Alice was off taking notes on just about everything, while a model 1969 Pontiac Firebird caught Lucas's eye from across the room. 

"James," Juliet began, "do you really think it's real. I mean everything."

She sat down on the love seat across from him. 

"Yes, I do," he replied while stretching, "I am a bit skeptical, but aren't we all?"

Juliet nodded absentmindedly. James got the feeling that her mind was elsewhere. She had a glossy expression and her hands and fingers kept fidgeting. 

"What's wrong?" he asked, moving forward in his seat. 

"I'm just . . . I'm just really scared."

James immediately moved from the sectional that he was sitting at to the love seat next to her. He put an arm around her as a sign of comfort. Her head fell gently into his chest.

"There's nothing to be scared of. At least, not right now," he whispered. 

"What do you mean?" she asked, her head perking up a little. 

"I mean . . . We have to be strong for Nathan. He needs us right now, and it's our job to help him."

Juliet sat up, causing James to retract his arm. 

"You're right," she said, "I can't be frightened, I have to be strong."

"That's the spirit," James said laughing slightly. 

"Let's help them look!" she stood up now.

"Wait!" James exclaimed, grabbing her by the arm. 

"What is it? I thought we should look for the," she stopped to think, "whatever it is."

"We will, but first I have to tell you something," James said seriously.    

He began to recount his dream. It was strange telling it to someone else. It was like watching a movie replay in his mind and he was just rattling off things that were happening. The dream was so vivid, like it was actually happening all over again. In fact, he could smell the summer night, and see the city, as if he were standing on the palace balcony again.    

"And then, he told me to wake up, because Alice wanted my attention," he finished. 

"You mean . . . He knew what was going on outside your dream?"

"Yes, he must've. Otherwise, how would he have known that Alice was going to be right there over my bed, trying to wake me up?"

"James, you were having a fit. We had to wake you up, it looked like you were seizing," Juliet said exasperated. 

James sat back down on the sofa. He was trying to think. Think of a possible answer to everything. 

"There was something. In my dream," he said looking up to see Juliet, "I felt like I was burning. The sun was so hot, it was like sitting in a microwave."

"Nathan was burned . . ." Juliet whispered. 

"Do you think it has anything to do with him though? I feel like they're connected in some way," James was frantic to find answers to everything. 

"I don't know," Juliet answered honestly, "maybe Alice would know something."

She began to walk towards the other two. James stood up so fast, the blood barely had time to return to his head before he grabbed her by the arm again. 

"We can't say anything to them!" he hissed. 

"What? Why not?"

He didn't know why. It just didn't seem like the right time. He didn't want to complicate things even more than they already were. Bringing his dream into the equation would just confuse the everything even more.    

"JAMES!" 

The shriek resonated throughout the entire library. It sounded like Alice, and she was all the way across the room. James quickly let go of Juliet and together they raced through the bookcases and shelves until they reached her.    

She was standing next to Lucas, who had plainly ran to her too, his chest heaving up and down. They were now standing on the Persian rug of the history section. A table was set before them and Alice had both of her hands resting on it examining the same blueprint from the office. 

"What? What happened?!" James said wildly. 

"Well, nothing exactly happened," Juliet huffed, Alice continued, "I just found something. I can't believe I was so stupid not to see it before."

"Well, get on with it, will you," Lucas said flustered. 

"It's the blueprint," she muttered, "this schematic was made five hundred years ago."

"Impossible," Lucas said simply, "they probably didn't even know how to write back then."

"Well, evidently they did," Alice said now staring intensely at Lucas, "look here, the original date."

Sure enough, where Alice pointed was written the date in which the blueprint was made. In swirly letters and numbers it read; year 1508 A.D. 

"That's an old piece of paper," James said blankly, "but what's so important about it?"

Alice turned to stare at James, she looked tired and exhausted. 

"This blueprint, is five hundred years old."

"Yes," Juliet said, "go on."

Alice had a thing for suspense. She thought it went well hand in hand with mystery. 

"An addition was made to this castle in the year 1508."

"An addition? Like a new room?" Lucas asked. 

"Yes," Alice answered, returning to the paper, "it's a basement. Well, not really a basement, it's more like a cave."

"Where is it?" said Juliet. 

James already had an idea. He was staring at a painting. It was hanging on the wall on the far side of the library, a burning hearth underneath it. There it was, hovering over a oaken desk much like the one from his fathers study. However, the only thing that stood upon its surface was a small stone slab.    

He sauntered slowly to it, ignoring all prior thought. He was in a trance. His friends merely watched him as he made his way to it, unknowing of what was happening. Until Juliet gasped. 

"It's the-" "City . . ." 

James whipped around, his red hair flying into his face. Nathan stood behind Lucas, Alice and Juliet, gripping the shirt over his chest. His raven colored hair was disheveled and jumbled in itself. 

"Nathan," James murmured.

Alice released a great sigh, Juliet collapsed to her knees and Lucas clapped his hand to his mouth. James stood thunderstruck, a groan of relief bubbling up inside him. 

"What's wrong with you lot? You look like you've all seen a ghost," he said smiling. 

James ran to him. He embraced him with such a force that Nathan almost snapped under the pressure. 

"Let go!" He cried, his eyes beginning to bulge. 

James set him down, but not until after he gave him one last squeeze. He was so happy that his brother was okay. Alice and Juliet were next to give him a hug, while Lucas only gave him a look of great understanding. 

"You've finally woken up!" James exclaimed. 

Nathan nodded solemnly after the girls released him, "Yes, but I don't remember sleeping, only dreaming."   

Alice stepped forward. 

"How's your chest?" she asked. 

Nathan looked at her as if she were joking. Then, without saying anything he lifted his shirt. 

"What . . . There's nothing there . . ." Lucas stammered. 

He was right. His chest was bare, not even a hair could be spotted. The strange burn mark from before was gone. Not a trace of it was left. It was like whatever happened an hour ago was just a dream and James would awake from this twisted nightmare in the cozy fittings of his bed. 

"Was something supposed to be there?" Nathan asked seriously. 

"Nathan," James began, his tone low and serious, "you were . . . You were burned in your sleep. It left a mark on your chest in the shape of your necklace."

"Well, I don't feel like I was burnt, in fact, I feel cold. Did anyone bring an extra jacket?"

"Nathan, this isn't a joke. Something happened to you in your sleep, and I have reason to believe it was connected to James's dream," Juliet said putting a hand on Nathan's shoulder. 

"James's dream? Why would you think that?" Lucas asked completely confused. 

James gave Juliet a stern look. She returned it but after a second she switched to a saddened expression. Nathan turned to his brother, expecting an explanation to the situation.    

"You said something about a city," James said lowly.

"Yes," Nathan replied, "I dreamt about it. It's actually kind of strange that there is a painting of what I saw in the dream. I don't think I've ever seen this painting before."

"Neither have I. But, I dreamt about this city too."

"What?!" Alice yelped. 

"Did you really?" Nathan asked, "and now Juliet thinks we had the same dream?"

"Just connected in some way," she corrected. 

"I think so too," James reasoned, "after everything that has happened tonight, this seems to make the most sense."

"Especially because you two are twins. I've heard loads of stories about twins sharing the same thoughts and dreams," Lucas said. 

"That's all speculation," Alice said matter-of-factly, "there's no way to tell what a person really thinks about."

Nathan moved closer in the direction of the painting, beckoning James to follow him. In turn, that brought the others along as well. 

"It does look a lot like the city from the dream, doesn't it James?" Nathan said, his hand on his chin. "Yes, I reckon it looks exactly like it."

"I feel really left out," Juliet whispered to Lucas. 

"Hang on!" Alice exclaimed from the side of the painting. 

Her hand was surveying the edge of the painting. She moved closer to the wall and nearly choked on the lack of air in her system. 

"There's a spot here!" she continued, "I feel air coming out from behind the painting."

"Maybe it's just a draft from one of the windows," Lucas countered. 

James looked around. All the windows were on the far side of the room, next to one of the fireplaces. They were tall and elegantly tapestried, but closed. 

"Well, that solves that dilemma," Alice chuckled. 

Lucas crossed his arms and frowned. He stalked his way over next to James and whispered into his ear. 

"She's just a know-it-all."James sniggered as Alice tried to lift the painting almost off the wall. 

"Hey what are you doing?!" he bellowed. 

"I'm trying to get a better look," Alice said casually. 

Juliet hoped up on the desk and tried to help Alice remove the work of art. 

"What good will this do?" Nathan demanded, "if anything, your just going to ruin it."   

The painting made a thud after it crashed to the floor. James let out a groan of dismay as he literally watched his dream fall to the ground. Juliet clambered down from the desk and promptly shook the dust off her shoulders that came with the portrait of the city. A dusty outline was left from where the frame hung. The pale moonlight from one of the windows far to the left showed the particles floating around in front of the kids, dancing and encircling each other. 

"Do you feel that?" Alice asked as she still stood on the bureau.

A lifeless whoosh of air gently ruffled James's hair. It was odorless from where he stood. 

"Yes," he said slowly, "what does it mean?"

"It means something is behind the wall," Nathan interjected, "it's hollow."   

Lucas lifted the painting to an upright position. He gazed upon the skyline, taking in all the colors and structures. James noted how the colors reflected onto his skin, sending trails of scarlets and blues across his face. 

"This doesn't look like any place I've ever seen," Lucas remarked loudly. 

"Yes you're right," Juliet complied coming to his side, "it doesn't even look like it belongs on this Earth. The architecture looks too advanced."

"And yet, old," James mumbled, unheard. 

Alice was perusing the wall, as if looking for some secret latch or knob that would open it. She looked like she was giving the facade a very wide embrace. Nathan was beneath her looking at the stone slab on the desk. He was grazing his hand over it so carefully that he was barely touching it. He then lifted his shirt and looked at his chest. 

"What is it, Nathan?" James asked, catching the attention of everyone else. 

The painting made another thud as it hit the floor again. 

"You said that in my dream I was burned, and it left a mark on my chest in the shape of my necklace," Nathan said trancelike. 

"Yes," Alice said quickly from overhead. 

"I think I know how to open the wall . . ." his voice trailed off as he reached for his neck. 

Nathan's eyes widened. He looked at the floor, in his shirt, on the desk, frantically. 

"Where is it?" he cried. 

"I have it right here," James said, reaching into his pocket and retrieving Nathan's necklace. 

The red ruby dangled in the twilight of the moon. James tossed it to his brother, who caught it with both hands. 

"Thanks," he offered.    

Nathan seized the pendant in one sweaty hand. He held it so tight as he looked at the slab. An empty crevice was carved into its face, just big enough for the ruby to fit. James had a feeling it was a perfect match. Evidently, so did Nathan, for he forced the jewel into the slot.    

Click!    

The library began to shake. Bookcases started to rattle, jittering on their hinges. The wall where the painting used to be was shaking so violently that it looked on the verge to burst open. The dust covering it came flying off all at once. The group of detectives stood in awe as the rectangle of wall slowly started to open. A horrible grinding noise began to emit from the sliding of the mass. More and more particles of dirt came exploding out of the wall, swirling like smoke, and smelling like smog.     

No one said a word as the slab of rock finally came to a stop. The wall was now sitting dead in the middle of the gaping hole, or door as it seemed. Alice had jumped off the desk so she wouldn't be harmed when the wall was turning. A horrific odor immediately washed over the kids. It was like five hundred years of filth had finally been released. The castle would never smell the same, James thought. 

"Well, that was dramatic," Juliet breathed. 

For a moment James forget he had company. He was so mesmerized by the opening of the wall that he forgot he wasn't alone. 

"Where do you think it leads?" Lucas asked solemnly. 

"If I had to guess, Lucas," James began thoughtfully, "I'd say, right to the Prophecy."

Somewhere in the castle a clock chimed midnight. It was Christmas.

Chapter Four: The Secret of the Castle

It smelled even worse inside the wall. The group found themselves plunged into such a darkness that it was impossible to see anything, even the hands in front of their faces. The only thing that kept them going was fact that the Prophecy could be on the other side of the cave.     

Alice was leading the pack this time. She had climbed first into the hole, and now she was dealing with the repercussions. She had to feel out the terrain first and make sure everything was alright to proceed. Sometimes the walls and floors were covered with sticky substances that reeked of dung and felt like ooze.      James was in the middle of the group, battling his way through the many obstacles of the cave. Some even including Lucas, who would occasionally fall over or slip on the ooze. There were constant dripping noises and even Alice didn't know where they came from. Juliet was last, following everyone and having the worst time at this. She kept shrieking at everything she touched, and squealing whenever she bumped into Nathan.     

"Do we know how much further?" Juliet cried after stepping into a particularly nasty puddle of dung. 

"For the last time, no!" Alice bellowed back. 

They had been traveling for what felt like hours, but was really only twenty minutes. The darkness exaggerated everything. 

"I think we should have brought some candles, or something. Even a flashlight. I suppose you don't own one of them, do you James?" Lucas called out from behind himself. 

"That's not funny," James said to the dark. 

"I wish this never happened," Juliet cried out again. 

"Oh, stop it you," Nathan said harshly, "it's bad enough we have to deal with this without you complaining about it."

"Leave her alone," Alice said, coming to Juliet's defense, "I'd say she has a right."

James then remembered the phobia Juliet had for the dark. It must have been really hard for her to do this. But, then again, she wouldn't have wanted to stay in the library all by herself.     

"I think I see a light!" Alice exclaimed. 

"Do you really?" Nathan said, betraying a little sarcasm. 

"Yeah, it's only a few meters away."

"And you're just now seeing it?" Lucas asked skeptically. 

"Well, it's not exactly big, now is it?" Alice reasoned, "and I wasn't really looking for it."

"If I were at the front it'd be my top priority," Nathan muttered. 

"Would you like to switch then?" Alice rounded. 

No answer.    

"We must be in the West Wing by now," James mentioned. 

"Here it is," Alice said, ignoring James.

She stopped, without telling anyone. Like an accordion the group sandwiched together and quickly rebounded off one another, all of them toppling to the ground. Alice screamed, and there was a crash not long after. Everyone stood up, their party now reduced to four. 

"Where's Alice?" Lucas asked quickly. 

"What do you mean? she was right there," James said cautiously. 

"I'm down here," Alice said, her voice echoing from somewhere below them. 

It seemed as though when everyone had fallen to the ground Alice fell down the shaft that the light was emanating from. 

"I'm okay, thanks for asking," Alice said shortly. 

"What's down there?" Nathan called out. 

"Light."

James felt a mass rush past him and it pushed him up against the wall. Juliet had stormed her way to the front and dropped down into the light. 

"What was that for?" Lucas barked as he rubbed his elbow. 

"Sorry," James could tell she didn't mean it. 

"It's a short drop. I reckon only a few meters," Alice said. 

One by one the boys jumped down. Alice was right, it was just a short drop, but James felt his knees wobble the first few steps afterward.    

This path was much more lit up. It was strange. Freshly lit sconces covered the walls, illuminating the walkway. Whatever was waiting for them on the other side, James did not want to know. It was like someone was goading them towards something. Like someone was setting them up for a trap. Maybe it was James's father, or mother. Maybe they set everything up. Whatever it was, James was starting to regret getting out of his bed.    

"I like this cave much more," Juliet whispered. 

"It's still the same cave," Alice said, beginning a brisk walk. 

"I just wonder where it leads," Lucas said curiously. 

James had an idea. Whatever the Prophecy indicated had to be on the other side. He wondered why someone would go to such lengths to hide it though. He wondered why Nathan's necklace moved the painting wall. Why was everything correlated so coincidentally? What did his dream mean?   

The path had come to a stop. An abrupt stop. They weren't really expecting it at all. The walkway had let on that there was much more to it, but sure enough it went directly to a spiral staircase. It coiled and coiled up as far as the eye could see. 

"Now we have to climb this?" Lucas asked whoever would listen. 

"It seems that way," Nathan said, craning his neck to get a better look. 

"I just hope whatever is up there is worth it," Juliet said justly.    

Without another word Alice began her trek up the stairs. There must have been three hundred steps, or at least enough to keep them tired. The fact that it was well after midnight didn't help either. James envisioned himself in the family room opening presents with all his friends, all the while singing carols and sipping hot cocoa. That thought seemed so far now, as new questions began to burn in his head. The most prominent one; where did this staircase lead?   

"Oi," Nathan began, "I think this is the West Turret. Wouldn't you say, James."

"Nathan, there is no entrance to the West Turret. Only the East Turret has an entrance . . ." his voice trailed as he realized what he just said, "we just walked through the entrance to the West Turret!"

"That's amazing," Alice gasped, "up to now you really didn't know there was an entrance?"

"No, father said they never built one. That this part of the castle was just for show," Nathan answered. 

"What an odd night this is turning out to be," Lucas said quietly. 

"I reckon you're right," James agreed. 

Juliet silently nodded her agreement. 

"When does this end?" she whined. 

"When you stop crying about it," Nathan said coldly. 

"Look, Nathan, that's enough," Alice said, stopping on the stairs, "ever since this night began you've been acting like a prat. Either get with the program, or leave."

James was in shock. Never before had he heard Alice talk like that, to anyone. Maybe the nights' events were starting to get to her too. It did seem to make everyone frustrated and confused more by the minute.     After their short row, Alice and Nathan grew silent, hiking up the lichen covered stairs. The air was growing colder, freezing for that matter. James was starting to get the shivers. All of the hairs on his arms and neck were standing an their ends, causing coarse little bumps to emerge on his skin. A cold breeze wafted through the staircase, billowing the groups night clothes. Where it was coming from, James couldn't guess.    

The stone walls were becoming more and more decrepit. The cobble was practically falling apart, creating piles of dust and rock on the floor. The moss and lichen was slowly turning into long and twisting vines of ivy. It was like walking through an untouched ruin. 

"This is getting creepy," Juliet piped up as she passed a flickering sconce. 

"This place looks like it hasn't been used in years," Lucas remarked. 

"Or hasn't been used at all," James added.    

Alice seemed to be teetering on a broken step, hesitating and not moving.

"What is it?" Nathan asked, annoyed that she had stopped. 

"There's something up there," Alice said after a minute of contemplation, "I see shadows moving . . ."

James's eyes widened. Suddenly, a rush of fear filled him and centered in the pit of his stomach. Somebody was up there, but who? Was it the person who James believed was leading them to the Prophecy? Or maybe, it could have been his parents themselves. 

"I don't like this, we should go back," Juliet squeaked. 

"I agree with Juliet," Lucas said cautiously, "I'm not getting a good feeling from this."

"No," James said fiercely, "we've been questioning things too much. It's time we figure this out once and for all."

Throughout this entire experience and most of his life James had never stood up for anything so passionately. The fire behind his eyes and the power behind his words were sure signs of leadership. 

"James is right," Alice mumbled from the front, "if we don't do it now then everything we've done so far will have been for nothing."

"So we go," Nathan said, finishing the matter.   

Alice took a light step. The moss on the stairs crunched under her foot as she tried to make her way up the last few steps. Whatever was awaiting them was definitely moving. From where James was stationed he could see a shadow moving to and fro in a glow of orange light. Alice's eyes peered over the ledge into the room that beckoned them forth.   

The room was bathed in candlelight. There were no windows, which still didn't explain why James felt a cool breeze, and why moss and ivy were growing on the steps and walls for that matter. A magnificently carved desk sat in front of stone bookcases that harbored many trinkets and tools. A chair was slowly rocking back and forth and was casting a long shadow over Alice's face. Yet, no one was seated in the chair. It swayed by itself, no wind rocked it, and no hand pushed it.    

By the time the rest of the group was standing in the loft Alice had already started searching the room. She was stooped low over a chest filled with old documents and didn't look at all ready to rejoin the group. Every now and then she would let out a loud ooh or ahh at a new paper. Juliet had preoccupied herself with a very old looking gyroscope, swivelling it in her hands and watching it spin with wonder. Lucas was testing one of the trinkets on the bookshelf. It looked like a long golden flute. Nathan and James stood next to the desk dumbfounded that they never even knew this place existed. Their parents had never talked about this part of the castle before, just to say it was closed off.    

The flute in Lucas's hand released an extremely loud whistle noise, causing everyone in the room to nearly jump out of the socks. He let the thing fall to the floor with a thud, and it whistled even more. 

"What is that?!" Nathan bellowed over the noise, his hands on his ears. 

"I don't know!" Lucas tried to say but was drowned out. 

"Turn it off!" Juliet shrieked. 

And it did. As soon as Juliet gave the order it stopped. Like an owl, Alice swooped down on it, cradling it, and throwing it down the staircase. 

"What on Earth was that thing?" Nathan asked, releasing his ears. 

"I dunno," Lucas repeated, this time heard, "it looked like a flute."

"Well it sure didn't sound like one," Juliet said.    

Everyone took their time to massage their ears and catch their breath. After a moment of trying to collect their thoughts, finally, James spoke. 

"Why is this chair moving? Nobody has sat in it."

It was the first time anyone in the room actually noticed it. 

"That's really quite odd," Alice said, taking out her notes. 

"It looks beautiful," Juliet added. 

It was true. The carvings on the wooden chair were manicured so perfectly that it looked like a piece of priceless art. Long snakes ran up the spine and were met by a setting sun. The colors looked chipped and worn, which gave the sense that the chair was old and dated. 

"I'm going to sit in it," Lucas said quickly, readying himself. 

"No!" Alice exclaimed, "this thing must be at least five hundred years old. Or as old as the tunnel we just came out of. You could possibly break it if you sit in it."

"Or it could be a trap," Nathan reasoned. 

"Nonsense," Lucas said, waving away the remarks. 

"Lucas," James started, "it's not nonsense. We don't know what will happen if we touch anything in this place. You just proved it by messing around with that whistle thing."

Lucas bowed his head and James took that as an end to the conversation.    

Something began to glow brightly on the desk before the chair. Very bright indeed, it was all James could do to shield his eyes against its rays. Flakes of sparkly dust were forming something on the table, swirling about like the snowflakes outside. A low humming noise was projecting from somewhere, as well as a thumping on the desk. The chair was rocking faster than ever now, creaking loud and precariously.    

Finally, the light ceased. It retracted quickly and lowered into a mass that now looked like a book. The humming noise quickly changed to quiet whispers, what they were saying was anyone's guess. The book looked extremely old, like it was on its last legs. The cover was brown and frayed, and the spine was bound in ripped leather. A golden eagle was spread out across the front of the book, and in red curly writing was written; The Story Of Almaria. James couldn't help but graze his hand across the cover and watch in wonder as the dust sparkled in his palm. 

"What just happened?" Nathan said, coughing as he wiped the dust away from his face. Silence bestowed the group. It seemed everyone was trying to wrap their heads around what just happened. As far as James was concerned, there was no way to explain why a book had just materialized onto a desk out of thin air, whatever happened wasn't of this Earth. 

"Do you hear that whispering?" Juliet asked the group. 

"Yes, I hear it," Lucas replied, staring intensely at the book. 

"Good, I thought I was going mad," Juliet released, "but, what's it saying, and where's it coming from?"

"The book," Alice answered tersely. 

"I say we open it," said Nathan, who was already reaching for it. 

"I'll do it," James said gruffly.   

With one sweeping motion he took the book and slid it towards himself. The eagle looked him straight in the eye. James could have sworn that it winked at him. Slowly and carefully, he lifted the eagle and opened the book. The room was, once again, immersed in a glowing light. Alice and Juliet both screamed horrifically, and Nathan and Lucas staggered back. James stood defiant against the light as it pulsated and rippled into his eyes. The whispers grew louder, and soon he was able to make out what they were saying. 

"Caer salvenium ignotia." It said. 

He didn't know what it meant, but he did hear it clearly, as if it were speaking in his head. A new flutter of dust exploded into his face when the cover was fully extended, and on the first page was written only one sentence. At the moment, that sentence was being repeated again and again by the voice that rang throughout the entire room. That phrase, James would never forget. 

"Caer salvenium ignotia."   

"Why does that keep happening?" Lucas asked covering his ears from the noise, "and what in the bloody hell is that voice saying?"

"I don't know!" Nathan roared over the chanting. 

The voice was now reaching dangerous octaves, sending everyone's eardrums to the brinks of destruction. 

"What is going on?" Juliet cried. 

"I don't like this at all!" Alice exclaimed.    

James tried to close the book, but with all his force he couldn't. It wouldn't even budge. 

"It won't close," James tried to explain.    

The voices immediately stopped. It was a split second of silence before it all happened. Nathan had barely any time to release a gasp of relief, then he was sucked in. Then Lucas, and after Juliet. Alice went next, and lastly James. With one last fleeting look he saw the dust from before, encircling him and dragging him towards the desk.    

All five children were sucked into the book. Nothing but a faint pop could be heard before the book itself disappeared in a blanket of glistening smoke. The Linniad castle was gone in a flash.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 16.07.2012

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Widmung:
To all the young minds living in a grown era